Crane Co's shares fell 8.53% as it hit a 5-day low amid broader market gains.
Despite reporting a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $1.53, exceeding expectations by $0.12, and a revenue of $581 million, a 6.8% year-over-year increase, the stock declined due to concerns over weak core orders, which only grew 2.4%. The company also initiated a cautious adjusted EPS outlook for 2026 at $6.55 to $6.75, reflecting limited upside potential without stronger order momentum. Additionally, a leadership transition was announced, with COO Alex Alcala set to become CEO in April.
The market reaction indicates that while the earnings report was strong, investor confidence is shaken by the sluggish demand signals, suggesting that Crane Co may face challenges in maintaining growth momentum moving forward.
Wall Street analysts forecast CR stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for CR is 218.75 USD with a low forecast of 200.00 USD and a high forecast of 235.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
4 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast CR stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for CR is 218.75 USD with a low forecast of 200.00 USD and a high forecast of 235.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
3 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 182.270
Low
200.00
Averages
218.75
High
235.00
Current: 182.270
Low
200.00
Averages
218.75
High
235.00
Stifel
Nathan Jones
Hold
maintain
$200 -> $201
2026-01-23
Reason
Stifel
Nathan Jones
Price Target
$200 -> $201
AI Analysis
2026-01-23
maintain
Hold
Reason
Stifel analyst Nathan Jones raised the firm's price target on Crane to $201 from $200 and keeps a Hold rating on the shares as part of the firm's Q4 preview for its diversified industrials coverage.
Stifel
Hold
downgrade
$202 -> $200
2025-12-16
Reason
Stifel
Price Target
$202 -> $200
2025-12-16
downgrade
Hold
Reason
Stifel lowered the firm's price target on Crane to $200 from $202 and keeps a Hold rating on the shares. Growth in 2025 for diversified industrials has largely been driven by tariff related price increases, again demonstrating these companies have superior pricing power, with volumes generally flat to down modestly, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm expects volume growth in 2026 to be primarily driven by the absence of, or at least lower, levels of inventory destocking combined with carryover pricing leading to low to mid single-digit revenue growth in 2026.
Unlock Full Analyst Thesis， Get the complete breakdown of rating reason for CR
Unlock Now
Wolfe Research
initiated
$215
2025-12-04
Reason
Wolfe Research
Price Target
$215
2025-12-04
initiated
Reason
Wolfe Research initiated coverage of Crane with an Outperform rating and $215 price target. The firm says Crane "checks the right boxes" with strong operations, management credibility, and upside from acquisitions.
DA Davidson
Buy
maintain
$230 -> $235
2025-10-30
Reason
DA Davidson
Price Target
$230 -> $235
2025-10-30
maintain
Buy
Reason
DA Davidson raised the firm's price target on Crane to $235 from $230 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares after its Q3 earnings beat. The firm is raising its estimates on Crane for 2025, 2026, and 2027, with all periods aided by the strong go-forward visibility with respect to Aerospace & Electronics segment's robust backlog coupled, with high conviction that the company will continue to deliver notable market outgrowth and price capture within PFT, or Process Flow Technologies, the analyst tells investors in a research note.
About CR
Crane Company is a manufacturer of highly engineered components for mission-critical applications focused on aerospace, defense, space and process industry end markets. Its segments include Aerospace & Electronics and Process Flow Technologies. The Aerospace & Electronics segment supplies critical components and systems, including original equipment and aftermarket parts, primarily for commercial aerospace, and the military aerospace, defense and space markets. The Aerospace & Electronics segment’s products and services are organized into various integrated solutions, including sensing components & systems, electrical power solutions, fluid management solutions, landing & control systems, and microwave solutions. The Process Flow Technologies segment is a provider of highly engineered fluid handling equipment for mission critical applications that require high reliability. The segment is comprised of process valves and related products, commercial valves, and pumps and systems.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
